U.S. Congressman Riley M. Moore (R-West Virginia) has held what he describes as “frank” and “productive” talks with a Nigerian delegation led by National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, demanding concrete measures to halt escalating attacks on Christians in Nigeria’s North-East and Middle Belt.

Moore, in a post on X, underscored America’s willingness to assist Nigeria against Boko Haram, ISWAP, and Fulani militants but warned that “violence cannot continue unchecked.”

The Nigerian team included Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi, Chief of Defence Staff General Olufemi Oluyede, and Chief of Defence Intelligence Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Undiandeye.

The meeting comes ahead of a congressional hearing scheduled for November 20 at the Rayburn House Office Building, chaired by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ). The session will examine Nigeria’s religious freedom record following President Trump’s recent redesignation of the country as a “Country of Particular Concern” under the International Religious Freedom Act. Witnesses include State Department officials Jonathan Pratt and Jacob McGee, Bishop Wilfred Anagbe of the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi, Hudson Institute’s Nina Shea, and analyst Oge Onubogu.

Nigeria’s government has yet to comment on the discussions, which follow a series of violent incidents including the abduction of 25 schoolgirls in Kebbi (with one escapee), killings at a church in Kwara, and fresh assaults in Plateau State.

Moore, a vocal critic of Nigeria’s handling of religious violence, has aligned with Trump’s threats of aid cuts and possible intervention, as U.S.- Nigeria relations face mounting strain amid the surge in faith-based attacks.